PBA chief gets GAB license

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala yesterday filled out the application form, submitted his ID picture and paid the P1,200 annual fee for a Games and Amusements Board (GAB) license as mandated by a 2002 resolution of the government agency supervising professional sports.

Jess Villanueva, GAB head of the basketball division, facilitated the issuance of Eala’s license. PBA technical manager Perry Martinez was also issued a license.

Eala’s predecessor Emilio Bernardino never applied for a GAB license even as the resolution was adopted by the GAB Board during its 11th regular meeting on April 4, 2002. The resolution was approved and noted by senior deputy executive secretary Waldo Flores in February 2003 and published in the Official Gazzette four months later when Eala was in his first year as commissioner.

GAB chairman Eric Buhain told The STAR he expected compliance from the PBA on the basis of Presidential Decree No. 871 and two GAB resolutions relating to the licensing of practitioners or participants in professional sports.

The two GAB resolutions are No. 98-10 approved by executive secretary Ronaldo Zamora in 1998 and No. 02-06 approved by Flores in 2003.

The 2002 resolution directed the PBA commissioner "to secure a license from the GAB and pay the fees corresponding therefore as a prerequisite for discharging his functions as such official of a professional sports organization." The resolution was written by acting board secretary Ofelina Artugue and attested to by chairman Eduardo Villanueva.

Eala said he never received a copy of the resolution and found it strange that after three years, the GAB is suddenly ordering strict and immediate compliance.

"Per our knowledge, we have not violated anything," said Eala. "The GAB resolution stated a copy should be furnished the PBA for compliance but we never got it."

A few weeks ago, Buhain came out strongly in media admonishing Eala for failing to secure a GAB license as PBA commissioner.

PBA legal counsel Melvin Mendoza subsequently met with GAB lawyers, headed by Ricardo Villamil, to clear the air on the ticklish issue of licensing the commissioner.

Eala said Mendoza’s meeting with the GAB team was cordial and hardly adversarial.

"The discussions went very well," said Eala. "The GAB gave its assurance that this has nothing to do with trying to take over the PBA or encroaching on its authority. The chairman just wants to impose the law strictly. The resolution came to our attention only recently. We had no prior knowledge of it. The GAB has the power to supervise, not control, professional sports so we want to make sure that this point is clearly understood."

Eala explained he sought out a license "without prejudice to the discussions that Attorney Melvin started with the GAB on the propriety of the GAB requirement for the PBA commissioner to obtain a license vis-à-vis the provisions of P. D. 781."

Eala said he took out the license "out of courtesy and deference to chairman Buhain."

"Nobody’s above the law," said Eala. "Unless I question what is required by law, I have to follow. I’m not necessarily admitting the validity of the imposition."